Up late as I was in bed far too late. Ui. Hustled to get to work...
Work was fine - catching up to so after being of Friday, but not bad. I'd rather be busy than idle. Idle makes ms crazy.
My friend Mariam (regular readers with recognize her as the wonderful friend who took such great care of me for surgery #1) had her car break down today - and it turns out that it is a goner. It is the WORST, when you have car trouble, and it is expensive and a big problem to be solved, I'll give her a ride to and from work for the several days this week, and we rehearse within a mile or two of each other's theatres right now, so it works out just fine.
her office is only a couple of miles off the freeway on my way to work, and I am very glad to return her many, many selfless kindnesses.
She stopped by the apartment with me to help hold Electra while I gave her sub-cutaneous fluids - still tricky, but easier with four hands. Poor little thing is sickly again, She was doing great, and then just stopped eating again two days ago. Fingers crossed that she rallies again.
The best thing is that when I awoke from sleep, the peculiar little pains I was getting pretty worried about after the fall - were gone. Relief - I smiled and I did my morning PT routine and got up and walked pretty easily down the hall. It seems that it was indeed the muscles that were all cranky.
I tried to keep the fat foot (from the scraped shin) up and elevated all day - it's a little tricky at work, but I manages to find a box to rest it on, and the director of the play was helpful and found me a chair to prop it up on.
Rehearsal went well - it's a tremendous, super talented cast with HUGE voices!! Really GOOD huge voices! It is amusing that the man playing my son is about six months younger than me, but we're good actors, and he looks a lot younger, and I CAN play older! Hell - I've done it most of my life, as a character actress! The truth is, in the theatre, if you tell them, "This guy is the son, and this woman is his mom" they get it, and it's a fact, done and done. If the actors believe it, the audience will.
Home again home again, jiggety jig - and heading for bed soon - I need to be up earlier to pick up Mariam.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
3/9/2014 a Sleepless, Busy Day of Good Things, and Debbie Progress Report
I had terrible insomnia last night.
equal parts discomfort in my skinned shin (from the fall), anxiousness at there being a not-terrible but noticeable pain in my left thigh... when that happens, anxiety sinks deep for concern of damage from that bloody fall... but I would think ( and so did my doctor) that anything that was actual damage to the joints would have been painful and apparent immediately after the fall, not a week after.
It is a bit of a setback, not for damage (except the shin) but I need to keep it elevated (the left foot is swelling a lot from it) and that means being on it less - and since I've had the show and work, I'v ebeen up on it, so PT walks have not happened this week.
That is a little discouraging, but when it starts to get to me, and I try to examine it, not huge.
I should hear from my PT for a couple of new appointments soon.
But that's why (along with my long suffering bum) I was unable to sleep last night - perhaps also due to the knowledge that I was losing an hour with Daylight savings, and there was a cast get-to-know you breakfast generously thrown by our director this morning - at 9am.
Before a matinee. (Actors don't do 9am on Sundays - especially when there's a matinee that afternoon.)
I was grateful to make the exception, and it was lovely to meet everyone and great fun!
The, off to the theatre with coffee on board, and only a few times did I have to will myself not to nod off on stage!! We site through the whole show on a platform/stair landing at stage left, at the ready tp play throughout the show, and we are almost always well-lit. So - nodding off is VERY bad form.
ui.
Came home and took about a 2 hour nap, in the light of the early DST evening.
I had a nice chat with Debbie about her preogress, a week after her replacement-
*** Here is something hip replacement patients should know to deal with, should it arise :
Her weekend home physical care visit was not good. The PT who came was a bully. She made Debbie to a sideways motion that she was NOT ready fr at 6 days out from surgery! - and when Debbie told her it was painful and she couldn't do it yet, and that no other PT had had her do it yet, the PT CALLED HER A LIAR.
Debbie's daughter was about ready to eject this person from their house, and she will not be back. Know this - YOU CAN FIRE HEALTH CARE WORKERS. They do NOT always know the best, and if you feel that they are not following the treatment that your good nurses, PTs. Dr.s etc have been taking in your healing, you can fire them and get a new one. It is your choice - YOUR body and life! Debbie knew that and it's handled thank goodness, but I was reminded that people should know that.
*** Her other Important issue was this: She had fibromyalgia, and some other joint issues and has been on low-dose maintenance Norco(Similar to Vicodin) for it for some time now. Well, that increases your tolerance, and the Norco they gave her for the surgery wasn't good enough - she was having some seriously bad pain, which makes it so she was hurting too much to do her Physical Therapy.
They took her to the ER, where they changed her medication to Dilauded. Now, I had never had anything stronger than Ibuprofen in my life before surgery #1, so when they gave me dilauded after surgery #1, it was MUCH too much and I was too woozy and nauseous to stand up the first day. I asked them, and they changed it ti Norco 10, and the next day, also at my request, they changed t down to Norco 5. They can and will taylor your pain medication to you.
I was lucky Norco did not make me vomit. I was of it in a week for the first surgery, and about 11 or 12 days after the second one (which had a much longer surgery - 5 hours - sure to my hip deformities).
By the way - Debbie's hip replacement took about AND HOUR! Really impressive! she went in at 7pm and was out about 8! everyone is a little different. Average seems to be 2.5 hours, - my two hips with dysplasia were 3.5 on the left, 5 on the right. He had a lot of sculpting work to do.
OK - that hour of sleep and 2 hour nap is telling on me - and o, lord - tomorrow I have work an dor first rehearsal for A New Brain.
A nap might be preferable. but this is what I do. ANd hey, everything is physical therapy, right?!? I'll keep my left foot elevated for the read-through.
Good night.
equal parts discomfort in my skinned shin (from the fall), anxiousness at there being a not-terrible but noticeable pain in my left thigh... when that happens, anxiety sinks deep for concern of damage from that bloody fall... but I would think ( and so did my doctor) that anything that was actual damage to the joints would have been painful and apparent immediately after the fall, not a week after.
It is a bit of a setback, not for damage (except the shin) but I need to keep it elevated (the left foot is swelling a lot from it) and that means being on it less - and since I've had the show and work, I'v ebeen up on it, so PT walks have not happened this week.
That is a little discouraging, but when it starts to get to me, and I try to examine it, not huge.
I should hear from my PT for a couple of new appointments soon.
But that's why (along with my long suffering bum) I was unable to sleep last night - perhaps also due to the knowledge that I was losing an hour with Daylight savings, and there was a cast get-to-know you breakfast generously thrown by our director this morning - at 9am.
Before a matinee. (Actors don't do 9am on Sundays - especially when there's a matinee that afternoon.)
I was grateful to make the exception, and it was lovely to meet everyone and great fun!
The, off to the theatre with coffee on board, and only a few times did I have to will myself not to nod off on stage!! We site through the whole show on a platform/stair landing at stage left, at the ready tp play throughout the show, and we are almost always well-lit. So - nodding off is VERY bad form.
ui.
Came home and took about a 2 hour nap, in the light of the early DST evening.
I had a nice chat with Debbie about her preogress, a week after her replacement-
*** Here is something hip replacement patients should know to deal with, should it arise :
Her weekend home physical care visit was not good. The PT who came was a bully. She made Debbie to a sideways motion that she was NOT ready fr at 6 days out from surgery! - and when Debbie told her it was painful and she couldn't do it yet, and that no other PT had had her do it yet, the PT CALLED HER A LIAR.
Debbie's daughter was about ready to eject this person from their house, and she will not be back. Know this - YOU CAN FIRE HEALTH CARE WORKERS. They do NOT always know the best, and if you feel that they are not following the treatment that your good nurses, PTs. Dr.s etc have been taking in your healing, you can fire them and get a new one. It is your choice - YOUR body and life! Debbie knew that and it's handled thank goodness, but I was reminded that people should know that.
*** Her other Important issue was this: She had fibromyalgia, and some other joint issues and has been on low-dose maintenance Norco(Similar to Vicodin) for it for some time now. Well, that increases your tolerance, and the Norco they gave her for the surgery wasn't good enough - she was having some seriously bad pain, which makes it so she was hurting too much to do her Physical Therapy.
They took her to the ER, where they changed her medication to Dilauded. Now, I had never had anything stronger than Ibuprofen in my life before surgery #1, so when they gave me dilauded after surgery #1, it was MUCH too much and I was too woozy and nauseous to stand up the first day. I asked them, and they changed it ti Norco 10, and the next day, also at my request, they changed t down to Norco 5. They can and will taylor your pain medication to you.
I was lucky Norco did not make me vomit. I was of it in a week for the first surgery, and about 11 or 12 days after the second one (which had a much longer surgery - 5 hours - sure to my hip deformities).
By the way - Debbie's hip replacement took about AND HOUR! Really impressive! she went in at 7pm and was out about 8! everyone is a little different. Average seems to be 2.5 hours, - my two hips with dysplasia were 3.5 on the left, 5 on the right. He had a lot of sculpting work to do.
OK - that hour of sleep and 2 hour nap is telling on me - and o, lord - tomorrow I have work an dor first rehearsal for A New Brain.
A nap might be preferable. but this is what I do. ANd hey, everything is physical therapy, right?!? I'll keep my left foot elevated for the read-through.
Good night.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
3/7/2014 and 3/8/2014 caution visit to the doc,, theatre musing - Daylight Saving: Spring Forward on My... grrrr
Friday - The scrape I got on my shin last Saturday has not bruised, because I got ice on it right away, and have been using Traumeel gel ( Arnica, etc.) on it, but it has been getting redder around the actual wound, and the foot has been sweling more than usual. Not more painful, no other signs that might be infection - but I when you have two recently installed hips, guessing about an infection is a bad idea. Being Friday and not wanting to wait the weekend, I called my primary care doc in the morning and was lucky to get an appointment at 11:20! I called in to my boss an decided to spend the day with my feet up until the appointment and the show.
The appointment went well, and Dr. Norene said it is not infected. I'm very, very glad.
It was good to have a day or rest.
The show went - mostly well. A few issues with an improvisational guitar player - improv does NOT work when you are coordinated within scenes and singing and playing between actor's lines. It hAS to be the same every. Night. He threw me off, and the scene had a minor train wreck. That is not acceptable. The director called a Band Meeting at intermission and was - erm - EMPHATIC. It was a gooood thing.
I don't know if he will get it, but act two went well. We are a team. he has a hard time with that concept.
Went out for a nosh with friends after - and home, *beat*.
Saturday
Another quietish day - slept in. Not even sure what else I did... it mostly ahd to do with feet being up!
The show went pretty well tonight - more friends came to see it and it was lovely to see them.
I do have a little bit more pain in both hips - nothing that I think I should be alarmed about after talking to my Surgeon after the fall, but I do feel a *little* set back. not quite as smooth of gait... how terribly annoying!!!
From a single ridiculous catch of the heel... ARGH!! And so it goes. Nothing terrible, but small frustrations.
Annnnd - MOVING FORWARD!
Tonight is Daylight Saving - springing ahead... blech. Al early "get-to-know-you" brunch with the cast of the next show, "A New Brain", which starts rehearsal Monday. Frankly, I wish there were another week or so before, but no regrets! I am grateful for the role, and for the fact that I can DO the role!
Some merry chatting with Jt from his far-away holiday(where they do NOT practice Daylight Saving!) - always spirit- lifting!
A
Thursday, March 6, 2014
3/6/2014 Random thoughts
Not a lot today... work was work... I got around pretty well, getting past the fall pains. Had a chair massage today - that's a good thing.
The big scrape on my shin from Saturday's fall is deep for a scrape, and very red around the edges. I hope that is just the less deep part of the scrape, and not any infection. It's only been a few days and I have cared for it well. Infection is BAD. NO infections. It's not inordinately warm. I'm not being a hypochondriac - I am being smart and cautious.
Once my surgeon and PT and Chiropractor all assured me that it looks like I did NOT damage the hips in the fall, I knew I was OK. I just want to be sure I'm OK, and take very good care of this machine that is my body, even more machine than before ;)
So when you hear me musing/wondering/being concerned about physical issues, that's what it is.
Had a brushup rehearsal - the guitarist was just a pain in the butt all night, and I wanted to smack him... but in the big picture, it's fine.
Another show tomorrow night.
The chilli I made is tasty.
I am tired of being tired... but there's life. I want to do what I love, and it involves getting less sleep. This life I'm getting back - it's good because it's full!
When I got home, I had to park the farthest I've had to in many months - and it was fine. physically, it was no big deal.
I do have a little bit of concern with safety - it's mostly fine in downtown Sacramento - veery nice, in fact... but now and then some scumhose decides to go on a serial mugging spree... so it's important to stay aware - but my street is well-lit and there re people around.
My neighbors were out on their balcony and mentioned how amazingly well I was trucking down the street - he noticed how far I had to park, and was feeling guilty that he parked his new car in front - it was very sweet of him to even think of that! I assured him that I mam fine with a little walk - because everything is physical therapy! I really like my neighbors - very nice people.
Debbie's doing very very well - she's home now, and it took a little adjusting to get the house set up just right, but her daughter let me know she's settling in. I have asked her, when she's feeling up to it if she will write a little guest post here! I hope she will!
OK - I think that's it for tonight. :)
About to go put my feet up for a little bit and hit the hay ASAP.
G'night!
3/5/2014 PT today, and a Quiet Evening
Still not sleeping enough - mornings are HARD - which then turn into much too sleepy afternoons. I've added a small coffee back to my afternoons, and that's not a great thing - heart palpitations always tell me when I've have caffeine after about 2 pm. They're generally harmless (My heart is is great shape) but annoying.
I had physical therapy this evening - Ann was very kind and helpful about the fall from Saturday - and as we went through the balance and stretching exercises, she was pretty well able to tell I hadn't damaged the joints in the fall.
She has had patients have that happen, and so is familiar with it. She is putting in for my sessions, and my next should be in about two weeks.
ultrasound on my right knee and ice on the scraped shin right knee and lower back.
Then it was home and relaxing. I put on a pot of chili to cook (cubed pork, because it was the least expensive cut of stew mean at the Co-op -it cooked up beautifully tender and tasty).
I had the gumption to finally watch 12 Years a Slave. I was happily surprised to find it was no-charge RENTAL (I think I got a Two Free Movies something or other from Roku) - always nice on the budget!. (Yes - I paid my portion of two hip replacements, and it weren't cheap. Every Little bit helps!)
Nature treated us to a lovely thunderstorm - it was blazing and rumbling away out my big picture window! I love a good thunderstorm!
Fun to see my Facebook pals post about it arriving at their houses, as it swept its way across the Central Valley and made it here! A good gully-washer, with lots of exciting flash and boom - on in particular was VERY close and a real window-shaker!
Deborah is doing great with her new hip! She took a good down-the -hall - and-back walk today, and if all goes according to plan, she'll be home tomorrow morning!
I'm so proud of her - she's a champ!
Right, then - good night, people!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
3/4/2014 Hips improving, Normal, and Higher Bars
My friend Deborah's hip replacement went even better than mine!
she walked around 40 steps this morning, and is feeling good - "no hip pain!" it's what we all say after the surgery - even though you have had surgery and there is a healing incision, the fact that you are no longer in that deep, intense pain is profound. Even though at the beginning it takes a little time and physical therapy to get the joint mobile again - well, duh - it's just had surgery! - the difference is enormous You can put weight on it and walk with the walker, and it's pretty fantastic.
I'm keeping in touch with her via Facebook - she was "liking" and posting within a few minutes of getting situated in her room - I was, too as I recall!
She's getting rest - it is a pretty tired first couple of days, and you sleep a lot between visits from nurses, phlebotomists coming to take blood and make sure you're using your little breathing machine, and wiggling your feet (to prevent blood clotting), and using the toilet, etc., you still get a little rest. I had my own room the second time - it was GREAT! My roomie was a great roomie the first time, I got lucky - but a single, quiet room? When I first got there, I kept waiting for them to bring my roomie - and they pointed out that there was only one bed (To be fair, there was a curtain!)
I was afraid for about 4 seconds that I'd be lonely. HA! Facebook and visitors gave me the outside world and company when I wanted it - plus all those nice (and they WERE so nice!) medical professionals on parade! I felt so lucky - an dlater the nurse who assigns rooms told me "I just thought you'd appreciate you onw room." :) I'm still friends with my roomie on FB - so I am pretty sure I didn't get any write up in my records or anything! :D She was just really nice to me, and I thanked her sincerely.
That's why going home with a companion if you possibly can is go great - rest! You set your own schedule - you sleep when you ned to, eat when you need to, and good food... the food was the only issue I had, and mostly because I am Gluten-free and they don't really know how to do that (IN A HOSPITAL. WITH A "NUTRITIONIST"?!?) so what I got, though gluten-free was shameful. undressed gluten free pasta, vegetables and rice. Because apparently ALL of their meats are prepared with wheat products. So - post-surgery, and NO Protein - oh, except for the can of Ensure (shudder - FULL of sugar and chemicals) they insisted I try, and the milk they gave me - my stomach was a little woozy from the Norco, and milk was NOT an interest.
Oh, but I do digress.
Oh, yes. Debbie is doing great! HUrrah!
Work was fine - I went on a couple of errands after work, and it occurred to me after I had gone to the Chiropractor, stopped at the Walgreen's for various items including cat litter (heavy box), and the pet department store for Electra's special (and thank goodness not expensive!) cat food, as I was stopped at the gas station preparing to swing by the post office to mail the rent...
Normal. Just ONE of those stops would have been absolutely exhausting and excruciating before, and I would have had to call a friend to bring up the groceries - any of them, since I needed to a;ways use the rails and support/haul myself up the steps. Tonight when I got home, I left the cat litter in the car to bring up tomorrow after work (as I won't have other parcels), put all of my purchases in one big sturdy shopping bag I have, put my string backpack on and my purse strap over my head, and carried it up the stairs with my cane in the other hand for support. The cane which I use only about 30% of the time, now. Hi, Normal - hello, ability to do the tasks I need to do in life!
I still need to vacuum. I hate vacuuming. But, as I CAN vacuum now, I'll find my nice Gratitude smile and pull up my big girl panties and DO it, tomorrow evening or on the weekend. It NEEDS it.
My Chiropractor, Dr. March was really touched, and delighted at how amazingly I am doing! I was in turn touched, too, and very grateful for all that he's done for me. He was there every week for several years as I tried everything I knew to be successful to keep my body upright - and he was really glad to see me again! Likewise - first, because he does good work and he's a really nice guy, always a pleasure to see him - but also, because he was able to really help fix the mess I'd made of everything BUT my hips when I took that tumble Saturday night after the show. I feel much better now. I think I'll wake up even less sore - hurrah!
I just realized that I have only took two Tylenol today - this morning. I forgot both the afternoon dose and the before-bed one. Last night I didn't sleep great, so I hope that won't be the case tonight, too - but I'm going to leave it - give my kidneys and liver a little break.
Had a nice wee blether with Jt hearing daily Goings-on in Paradise - so enjoyable!
He reminded me to always be setting my bar higher. I appreciate the reminder and encouragement deeply, and asked him to continue to nudge me.
I am all about setting the bar higher now! I don't just want my old life back. I want it back and BETTER. That's not greed - that is fulfilling my potential, because Life is REALLY GREAT! And I have a really wonderful life - but who says that it can't be even better? NO ONE!
Of to sleep - good night Hipsters!! :D
-Martha
she walked around 40 steps this morning, and is feeling good - "no hip pain!" it's what we all say after the surgery - even though you have had surgery and there is a healing incision, the fact that you are no longer in that deep, intense pain is profound. Even though at the beginning it takes a little time and physical therapy to get the joint mobile again - well, duh - it's just had surgery! - the difference is enormous You can put weight on it and walk with the walker, and it's pretty fantastic.
I'm keeping in touch with her via Facebook - she was "liking" and posting within a few minutes of getting situated in her room - I was, too as I recall!
She's getting rest - it is a pretty tired first couple of days, and you sleep a lot between visits from nurses, phlebotomists coming to take blood and make sure you're using your little breathing machine, and wiggling your feet (to prevent blood clotting), and using the toilet, etc., you still get a little rest. I had my own room the second time - it was GREAT! My roomie was a great roomie the first time, I got lucky - but a single, quiet room? When I first got there, I kept waiting for them to bring my roomie - and they pointed out that there was only one bed (To be fair, there was a curtain!)
I was afraid for about 4 seconds that I'd be lonely. HA! Facebook and visitors gave me the outside world and company when I wanted it - plus all those nice (and they WERE so nice!) medical professionals on parade! I felt so lucky - an dlater the nurse who assigns rooms told me "I just thought you'd appreciate you onw room." :) I'm still friends with my roomie on FB - so I am pretty sure I didn't get any write up in my records or anything! :D She was just really nice to me, and I thanked her sincerely.
That's why going home with a companion if you possibly can is go great - rest! You set your own schedule - you sleep when you ned to, eat when you need to, and good food... the food was the only issue I had, and mostly because I am Gluten-free and they don't really know how to do that (IN A HOSPITAL. WITH A "NUTRITIONIST"?!?) so what I got, though gluten-free was shameful. undressed gluten free pasta, vegetables and rice. Because apparently ALL of their meats are prepared with wheat products. So - post-surgery, and NO Protein - oh, except for the can of Ensure (shudder - FULL of sugar and chemicals) they insisted I try, and the milk they gave me - my stomach was a little woozy from the Norco, and milk was NOT an interest.
Oh, but I do digress.
Oh, yes. Debbie is doing great! HUrrah!
Work was fine - I went on a couple of errands after work, and it occurred to me after I had gone to the Chiropractor, stopped at the Walgreen's for various items including cat litter (heavy box), and the pet department store for Electra's special (and thank goodness not expensive!) cat food, as I was stopped at the gas station preparing to swing by the post office to mail the rent...
Normal. Just ONE of those stops would have been absolutely exhausting and excruciating before, and I would have had to call a friend to bring up the groceries - any of them, since I needed to a;ways use the rails and support/haul myself up the steps. Tonight when I got home, I left the cat litter in the car to bring up tomorrow after work (as I won't have other parcels), put all of my purchases in one big sturdy shopping bag I have, put my string backpack on and my purse strap over my head, and carried it up the stairs with my cane in the other hand for support. The cane which I use only about 30% of the time, now. Hi, Normal - hello, ability to do the tasks I need to do in life!
I still need to vacuum. I hate vacuuming. But, as I CAN vacuum now, I'll find my nice Gratitude smile and pull up my big girl panties and DO it, tomorrow evening or on the weekend. It NEEDS it.
My Chiropractor, Dr. March was really touched, and delighted at how amazingly I am doing! I was in turn touched, too, and very grateful for all that he's done for me. He was there every week for several years as I tried everything I knew to be successful to keep my body upright - and he was really glad to see me again! Likewise - first, because he does good work and he's a really nice guy, always a pleasure to see him - but also, because he was able to really help fix the mess I'd made of everything BUT my hips when I took that tumble Saturday night after the show. I feel much better now. I think I'll wake up even less sore - hurrah!
I just realized that I have only took two Tylenol today - this morning. I forgot both the afternoon dose and the before-bed one. Last night I didn't sleep great, so I hope that won't be the case tonight, too - but I'm going to leave it - give my kidneys and liver a little break.
Had a nice wee blether with Jt hearing daily Goings-on in Paradise - so enjoyable!
He reminded me to always be setting my bar higher. I appreciate the reminder and encouragement deeply, and asked him to continue to nudge me.
I am all about setting the bar higher now! I don't just want my old life back. I want it back and BETTER. That's not greed - that is fulfilling my potential, because Life is REALLY GREAT! And I have a really wonderful life - but who says that it can't be even better? NO ONE!
Of to sleep - good night Hipsters!! :D
-Martha
Monday, March 3, 2014
3/3/2014 All is Well, Post-Stumble, and My Friend Deborah's Hip Replacement Was Today - Flying Colors!
As has been the case, too little sleep last night, but I was up and at work at a reasonable time.
Even as stiff as I was - and expected to be - on the second day after taking my little spill, I got out of the house - with onkly a few groggy mishaps.
I was taking my big handful of vitamins and supplements all at once, as I always do.
After one sip, I DROPPED THE NEARLY FULL GLASS OF WATER on my lap - and splashed the kitties as they ate their breakfast (With Electra still getting better from pancreatitis and lipidosis, I have to feed them in my living room so I can monitor that Maia doesn't eat all of Lexi's food...). None of us were much happy about it, but at least it was before my shower, so I wasn't dressed yet. But holding a giant mouthful of variously tasting pills in your mouth while you, soaking wet and cold, struggle to pour a fresh glass of water is pretty gaggy. ) But I shook it off and got going.
Not a bad day at work. Enough to do, not too much, and only a few confusions.
My friend Deborah is my "guest" today - though she's not writing here, in the normal sense of a blog guest - she is a little occupied today - getting a total hip replacement! As we speak, if her surgeon is on schedule!
Debbie has been a friend since college - we were drama students and roommates together. We lost touch for many years and went in our directions, but several years ago (I think it was with the advent of Facebook), we re-connected - older and wiser, both of us, and very glad to re-connect!
We go to the theatre, or fun special events (The Lord of the Rings shown in an Arena with a live orchestra playing the sound track - great fun!), or with a group of friends to brunch. She has pretty bad fibromyalgia and some other physical issues, so she is
Well, the first time I was recovering from hip surgery, I had a whole wonderful army of friends taking shifts caring for me at home, so I didn't have to deal with a rehab hospital. (Have I mentioned how much I DID NOT WANT TO GO to a reheab hospital? Oh, only about 50 times? Right then..). Most of them have day jobs, but, because Debbi doesn't, she was kind enough to volunteer to be my Day Shift most days. It was great - she didn't have a ton to do, and none of it was physically challenging. A little breakfast and lunch, and helping me get anything I might need (Water, medications, etc)., and the rest I could do just fine... They just needed me to having someone to make sure I didn't fall.
We spent a week or so of days catching up, laughing, watching some tv together - she brought me a very generous recovery gift of a Roku device for streaming tv, and she and her husband very kindly brought me their "older" giant flatscreen tv!
We really had a great time. She intended to stay with me the second week, but then at the end of the first, she tweaked something and was suddenly in pretty bad pain, and was horrified to have to bow out for week 2. It turned out to be the perfect weaning off time - byt then I could deal with simple breakfasts and lunches, and I didn't even really ned to fill in all of the day slots.
Shortly thereafter, her doctor diagnosed her with hip arthritis, and - she needed a new hip!! She told me, "Now that I've seen you go through it and heard all about it (And believe me, I talked ALL about it!!), I know exactly what to expect, and how great the results are, and I'm not a BIT afraid!!" She pushed hard for the Anterior approach. She had to wait a few months, but she got it. (AGAIN - Posterior surgery is a very good surgery. If you need to have it, do not worry - just follow orders, and you'll be great in jig time!)
I cannot express how happy it made me to know that I had any part in making her journey easier!!
So - at the very moment I am typing this, she should be about 2/3 or the way through her surgery, and on her way to being able to walk in much less pain! Fibromyalgia is rough, and hard to deal with, but a bum hip can make it mechanically impossible to walk. I am so glad she is "joining the Bionic club" as we in my circle of friends have come to call it!
Tonight I have a night off all to myself, and though I need to go to Safeway for a few non-co-op grocery items, I will wait until tomorrow, after my chiropractic appointment and give myself a *real* night off. Also, I hope to be a little less stiff and sore.
I just received word back from my surgeon - I only need be concerned if I have significant pain in the new hip joints...
Even as stiff as I was - and expected to be - on the second day after taking my little spill, I got out of the house - with onkly a few groggy mishaps.
I was taking my big handful of vitamins and supplements all at once, as I always do.
After one sip, I DROPPED THE NEARLY FULL GLASS OF WATER on my lap - and splashed the kitties as they ate their breakfast (With Electra still getting better from pancreatitis and lipidosis, I have to feed them in my living room so I can monitor that Maia doesn't eat all of Lexi's food...). None of us were much happy about it, but at least it was before my shower, so I wasn't dressed yet. But holding a giant mouthful of variously tasting pills in your mouth while you, soaking wet and cold, struggle to pour a fresh glass of water is pretty gaggy. ) But I shook it off and got going.
Not a bad day at work. Enough to do, not too much, and only a few confusions.
My friend Deborah is my "guest" today - though she's not writing here, in the normal sense of a blog guest - she is a little occupied today - getting a total hip replacement! As we speak, if her surgeon is on schedule!
Debbie has been a friend since college - we were drama students and roommates together. We lost touch for many years and went in our directions, but several years ago (I think it was with the advent of Facebook), we re-connected - older and wiser, both of us, and very glad to re-connect!
We go to the theatre, or fun special events (The Lord of the Rings shown in an Arena with a live orchestra playing the sound track - great fun!), or with a group of friends to brunch. She has pretty bad fibromyalgia and some other physical issues, so she is
Well, the first time I was recovering from hip surgery, I had a whole wonderful army of friends taking shifts caring for me at home, so I didn't have to deal with a rehab hospital. (Have I mentioned how much I DID NOT WANT TO GO to a reheab hospital? Oh, only about 50 times? Right then..). Most of them have day jobs, but, because Debbi doesn't, she was kind enough to volunteer to be my Day Shift most days. It was great - she didn't have a ton to do, and none of it was physically challenging. A little breakfast and lunch, and helping me get anything I might need (Water, medications, etc)., and the rest I could do just fine... They just needed me to having someone to make sure I didn't fall.
We spent a week or so of days catching up, laughing, watching some tv together - she brought me a very generous recovery gift of a Roku device for streaming tv, and she and her husband very kindly brought me their "older" giant flatscreen tv!
We really had a great time. She intended to stay with me the second week, but then at the end of the first, she tweaked something and was suddenly in pretty bad pain, and was horrified to have to bow out for week 2. It turned out to be the perfect weaning off time - byt then I could deal with simple breakfasts and lunches, and I didn't even really ned to fill in all of the day slots.
Shortly thereafter, her doctor diagnosed her with hip arthritis, and - she needed a new hip!! She told me, "Now that I've seen you go through it and heard all about it (And believe me, I talked ALL about it!!), I know exactly what to expect, and how great the results are, and I'm not a BIT afraid!!" She pushed hard for the Anterior approach. She had to wait a few months, but she got it. (AGAIN - Posterior surgery is a very good surgery. If you need to have it, do not worry - just follow orders, and you'll be great in jig time!)
I cannot express how happy it made me to know that I had any part in making her journey easier!!
So - at the very moment I am typing this, she should be about 2/3 or the way through her surgery, and on her way to being able to walk in much less pain! Fibromyalgia is rough, and hard to deal with, but a bum hip can make it mechanically impossible to walk. I am so glad she is "joining the Bionic club" as we in my circle of friends have come to call it!
Tonight I have a night off all to myself, and though I need to go to Safeway for a few non-co-op grocery items, I will wait until tomorrow, after my chiropractic appointment and give myself a *real* night off. Also, I hope to be a little less stiff and sore.
I just received word back from my surgeon - I only need be concerned if I have significant pain in the new hip joints...
Continued 10:39 PM
I don't have significant pain, so HURRAH!! It's a little sore - I am sore all over from catching my fall! - and already
improving - so - WHEW!!! this evening I have been walking around the house in a more natural, comfortable way that I have so far - there's a little irony! Fall down then get up walking even better in just a few days!
improving - so - WHEW!!! this evening I have been walking around the house in a more natural, comfortable way that I have so far - there's a little irony! Fall down then get up walking even better in just a few days!
So - back to Deborah! Her daughter was kind enough to text Debbie's progress to a group of her friends. I am most grateful, plus, I think I was able to be of a little comfort to her, maybe. I tried, anyway! Her surgery was actually delayed in the day and she finally went in at about 7:00 pm - but she was out in NO time! at 8:15, her surgeon came out to say she was done and in about 30 minutes they could go in and see her! WOW!!! By 8:40, Sarah texted to say she had just talked to Debbie, and she was very lucid - going in for her post-op x-rays.
I was out for hours, and don't remember anything at all about the post op x-rays!! She's amazing! It could have some to do with different procedures at Sutter and Kaiser, but no matter - she's out and doing great. Also, she has dealt with other kinds of chronic pain for a while, and I had never had anything stronger than ibuprofen - could be a reason our wakeup time was so different. Proof that everyone is a bit different!
I am so happy for her! And Sarah was very relieved once she got to talk to her mom. They are a great team.
I can't tell you how happy I am that she was able to undergo this procedure.
I also talked to her husband's cousin (facebook) and he said that Debbie was able to help him push for getting his father an anterior replacement, because at 85, they were afraid to do surgery - so they are going to do it almost entirely with the epidural, with just a little something to keep him from hearing the procedures - I hear that it sounds like a wood shop in there- and of COURSE it would. It sure looks like one! VERY clean one!
So - the ripples get paid forward - i learn from others and my great Sutter team, and Deb learns from me and her great Kaiser team, and she lets her cousin-in-law know about the anterior approach, and his dad is now able to get a new hip.
My heart feels very full and warm tonight.
Good things:
My concern about my own hips after the little spill I took is alleviated, my muscles are loosening up and feeling better, my friend is repaired and will be up and around in a week or three. Jt is in Bali recharging he batteries, and I am so glad for him!
Tomorrow, I will see my chiropractor for the first time since - last... May?!? June? He's so great and was so wonderful in helping me keep my poor painful frame upright for so long before we knew I needed new hips... I can't wait to semi-saunter in there on my own power, with little or no limp! He's not gonna believe it! I'll bring him a copy of my x-rays, too. He's a great guy - I know he'll get a kick outta that. Besides, it will probably be a good thing for him to have medically.
Then I have Physical Therapy Wednesday - I will have to confess to Anne that I fell. I am NOT SUPPOSED TO FALL!!!
I am so , SO glad I have watched my health and practiced good dietary and supplement practices for so long, and that I was working on reconnecting with my body and my physical health fr the last 4-5 years at least! I think that's why taking a fall for me was not disastrous. My bones are strong, my muscles are also strong for my situation, and my immunity is high. I was able to catch myself at least to a degree that I didn't just go "THUNK!" onto one of my hips! I landed on the left one - but in moments I was able to test both of them and know that the mobility was still OK, without any extra, elevated, or new pain. *whew*. My muscles EVERYWHERE else in my body, particularly upper body, got so sore because they did their job compensating and catching me. They are reminding me the I AM ALIVE!!! YEEEEHAW!!! :)
I have a lovely show I'm performing in, and start rehearsing for another next week...
Life is INDEED - GOOD!!
OK - It's not even 11:30, and I'm DONE with the nightly blog post! Debbie is out of surgery and in her room now, and should be home in 3-4 days - sweet. I'm going to go ice up nad get to bed by midnight!
EXCEPT - here she is - on Facebook Instant message! :) A quick little exchange but she'sdoing well!
"Hip, Hip" - hurray! ;)
(Puns - I am occasionally guilty)
A very good night to you.
-M
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